Electric switch



May 29, 1928. 1,671,623

E. R. BARANY l ELECTRIC SWITCHv Filed May 29, 1926 5' INVENTOR.

fi. fl BY m V ha Patented. May 29, 1928.

TESA

Emu-mn a. BABANY, or BaooxLYN, new Yonx, AssIeNoB ro ramen BATTERY coll lrANY, or MADISON, wisconsin, AconronArIoN or wIscoNsxN.

PATENTY oFFlcE..

' merma swrrcn.

Application nea my as, me. semi m. 112,530.

This invention relates Ato electric switches and ishereinshown embodied in a flashlight structure'. g

An object of the invention is to provide a generallyimproved switch'which is-simple in construction, reliable in use, easily assembled, capable vof withstanding prolonged .use, and particularly adapted for use in a flashlight.

The invention` will; be understood from the following' descriptiomtakenin connection' with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a central vertical. section through the switch embodying the invention, the switch beingshown in connection with a flashlight.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken onthe line 2-2 of Figure 1, the circuit closing member being `shown in its housed position.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure -2 but showing the circuit closing member in position to be moved .into closed circuit position. Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing this switch unit in elevation.

J Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Referringr to the drawings, the casing 5 Aof a flashlight with which the switch unit embodying the invention is adapted to be used, is formed with an inwardly projecting c bead orseat 6 upon which the switch unit is retained by means hereinafter more fully described.l The casing 5 is screw-threaded,-

as shown at 7 ,and is adapted to receive any lappropriate type 4of head, not shown.

The switch unit is adapted to be assemlbled exteriorly of and thereafter introduced into the casing 5, within which it is retained with a portionof its operating member 10, of insulating material, and a portion of its base 11, also of insulating material, projecting through an opening 12 formed in the casing 5. The base 11 is provided with a. depending boss 13, which serves as a bearing for a pivot 14, by means of which pivot the operating member 10 is pivotally connected to the base 11. The base 11 is also provided with a rivet 15, the bottom end of which is headed over and serves as a contact, adaptedto engagethe carbon electrode 18 of the usual flashlight battery B, having its zinc electrode 19'suitably connected to the casing 5 in accordance with usual pracis secured in position by means'of a rivet 25, passing through the Support 11. The upper end orhead of the rivet 25 engages that portion of the iinger 22 that rests upon the base 11, and .is adapted for the reception of one end Aof a tensionspring 30 which is, at its other` end, suitably connected to a headed pin 31 carried by a metal insert 32 by whic the pivotl4 is carried and around whlch the'insulating material' forming part of the operating member 10 is molded. i

Within the operating member 10, is slidably mounted ya circuit closing member 33,' which is formed with a grooved head 34, the forward or pointed end 35 of which is adapted to be moved into engagement with the outwardly turned ends 36 of the angularly disposed' arms 37 of the contacts 20 and 21, after moving the operating member v10 to its position shown in Fig. 3. Movement of the circuit closing member 33 into engagement with the contacts 20 and 21 is resisted by a compression spring 38, which surrounds the shank portion of the circuit closing member 33 and is yconfined 'within a chamber 39 formed in the insert 32. This spring 38, atone end, engages a metallic bearing 40, adapted for a drive fit into one end of the chamber 39 and, at its other end, engages an operating button 41, of insulating material, carried at the outer end of the circuit closing lmember 33. The spring 38, as will be readily appreciated, acts to normally retain the circuit closing member 33 in its retracted position, but will permit movement of the circuit closing member into engagement with the contacts 20 and 21 when it is desired to operate the flashlight either intermittently or constantly.

As above stated, the switch unit is adapted to be assembled exteriorly of and thereafter introduced into the flashlight 'casin 5. In finally assembling the unit, a suitab e housing 47 is connected to the base 11 by means of rivets- 48. TheseV rivets 48 are passed through the base 11 and flanges 49 which are formed integral with the housing 47 at the time of forming the inwardly projecting portions in the inclined wall of the housing 47. This housing serves not only to protect the various cooperative elements entering into the 'switch unit, but also serves as a support for the flashlight lamp 51, of the usual construction, having central and outer contacts 52 and 53,-'respectively. The lamp 51 is removably carried within a screwthreaded socket 54,`A suitabl connected with the housing 47 and provide at its inner end, with a disc 56 of insulatingmaterial through which extends a rivet 57, or the like, adapted to engage at one end the resilient finger 22 and at the other end the central contact 52 of the lamp 51.

In order to retain the switch unit properly positioned within the flashlight casing 5, a retaining element 58 is rovided, the retaining element being so s aped as to fit the upper end of the housing 47, and being provided at its lower end with a flange 59 which engages a shoulder 60 formed on the housing 47 substantially midway of its length. The periphery of the flange 59 terminates in an upwardly projecting screw-threaded apron or flange 61 which engages the insideof the screw-threaded .end 7 of the flashlight, upon which end the lashli ht head, not shown, is adapted to be carrie as previously explained. In order to prevent turning of the switch unit as the retaining element 58 is being run down into firm engagement with the housingt47, that portion ofthe base 11 which projects through the opening 12 is so shaped as to snu ly engage inturned flanges 62 which are ormedintegral with the casing 5 and are arranged at opposite ends of the opening 12.

Assuming that the operating member 10 is positioned as shown in Fig. 2 and that it is desired to intermittently close the ilashlight circuit, the operating member 10 is first moved to its position shown in F ig. 3. The circuit closing member 33 may then be so moved against the influence of the spring 38 as to cause the pointed end 35 of the head 34 to touch and electrically connect the ends 36 of the contacts 20 and 21, the spring 38 serving, upon release of pressure from the operating 'button 41, to return the circuit closing member 33 to its normal position. The lamp may thus be fiashed by gently pressing. and releasing the circuit c osing member. However, if it is desired to close the flashlight circuit for any considerable length of time, the circuit closing member 33 is moved against the influence of the spring 38 a sufficient distance toA cause the head 34 to pass between the ends 36 of the arms 37, which are exed by the camming action exerted thereupon by the pointed end 35 ofthe head. Upon suiicient movement ofthe' `circuit closing member 33, the arms Y37 of the contacts 20 and 21 spring into the retain the circuit closing member 32 in closed circuit position, as shown in Fig. 5. The

vlamp will then remain lighted regardless of manual pressure on the circuit closing member. When it is desired to release the grip of the contacts 2() and 21 upon the head 34 vand thereby open the lashlight circuit, the

operating member 10 is rotated from its position shown in Fig. 5, to lts position shown in Fig. 2. As a result of such movement the head 34 passes laterally out of engagement v with the arms 37, as will be readily appreciated, whereupon the spring 38 acts to return the circuit closing member 33 to its normal position, and the spring 30 serves, after retarding initial movement of the operating member 10, to complete further movement `of this member with a quick snap-action to its safety position, shown in Fig. 2. Since the tension line of the spring 30 is at one side of the pivotal center of the operating member 10 when such member is in the position shown in Fig. 2, and at the other side of the pivotal center of the operating member when such member is in the positions shown in Fi ures 3 and 5, the s ring 30 aords an'e ective means for. yiel ably retaining the operating member in either of such positions, the tension of the spring 30 being sufiicient to prevent, under ordinary circumstances, accidental movement of the operating member 10 out of either of its positions of rest. In order to limit the movement of. the operating member 10 vin both directions, shoulders or stops 64 and 65 are provided, the former being adapted to engage one side of the contacts 20 and 21 when the operating member is positioned as shown in Fig. 2, and the latter being adapted to engage the other side of the contacts 20 and 21 when the operating member is moved toits position, shown in Figs. 3 and 5.

The disk-like member 10 swings on a pivot (14) which is parallel with the axis of the casing'5 and serves as a carrier for the spring-retracted push-button. t This pushbutton is adapted to move in a direction perpendicular'to the axis of the carrier in the closing of the circuit. rlhe contact-members 20 and 21 constitute a jack, the space between the members being in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the casing. The segmental peripheral surface l()a of the push-button carrier projects sufficiently to serve as athumb-piece. The periphery of the carrier is recessed'at 10b to accommodate the thumb in workin the push-button.

The foregoing detail description yhas been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended 30 is claimed is:

1. In a switch,'a support, a movable operating member associated with said support, means for resisting initial movementl of said operatin member and for thereafter facilitating furt ier movement of said operating member, a. movable circuit closing member associated with said operating member, and` yieldable means resisting movement of said circuit. closing member in one direction and facilitating movement of said circuit closing member in an opposite direction. l

2. In a switch, a support, a movable operating member associa-ted with said support, a movable circuit closing member associated with said operating member, yieldable means resisting movement of said circuit closing member to closed circuit position and tending to move said circuit closing member-out of'closed circuit position, and a pairof contacts with which said circuit closingmember is adapted to cooperate. at least one of said contacts being adapted to so .cooperate with said circuit closing member as to retain the same in closed circuit position against the inuence of saidlyieldable means.

3. A switch comprising a support. a movable operating member associated with said support, a movable circuit closing member associated with said operating member and adapted to be| moved from open circuit position to closed circuit position, yieldable' means resistingmovement of said circuit closing member to. closed circuit position and' tending to A,move saidcircuit closing member out' otv` closed circuit position, and a. pair of contacts adapted to be engaged by and `to interlock `with said circuit closing member to retain the same in closed circuit position.

4. A switch comprising a support, an operating member pivotally mountedv upon said support and adapted to be moved in opposite directions, means retarding initial movement and thereafter effecting a snapY movement of said operating member, a, pair of contacts, a circuit closing member carried by said operating member and adapted to be moved bodily with said operating member into a position to be thereafter -moved into engagement with said contacts.

5. A switch comprising a support, an

operating member pivotally mounted upon raid support and adapted to be moved in opposite directions, means .retarding initial movement and thereafter effecting a snap pair movement of said operating member, a

kof contacts. a circuit closing member carried by said operating member and adapted to be moved bodily with said operatingniember into a position to be thereafter moved contacts and said operating member being constructed for interlocking engagement whereby said circuit closing member may b e temporarily retained in closed circuit position.

6. A switch comprising a support, an operating member pivotally connected to said support, a pair of contacts associated with said support, a circuit closing member slidably carried by said operating member and adapted to be moved bodily upon movement of said operating member in one direction into a position to be moved into engagement with .said contacts, and means associated with said circuit closing member and adapted to cooperate with said contacts for temporarily locking said circuit closing member in closed circuit position, said means being adapted to sever its cooperation with said contacts upon reverse movement of said operating member. l

7. A switch comprising a support, an operating member pivotally connected to said support, a pair of contacts associated with said support, a circuit closing member slidably carried by said operating member and adapted to be moved bodily `upon movement of said operating member in one direction,

said opening` and a circuit closing member movable with said operating member into yand out of alignment with said opening.

9. In combination, arasing having an opening therein, a support in said casing, an operating member pivoted to said support and having a portion projecting through said opening, and a circuit closing member movable with respect to said operating member and movable with said operating member into and out of alignment with said opening. i

10. In combination, a casing having an opening therein, a support in said casing, an operating member pivoted to said support and having a portion projecting through said opening. and a circuit closing member slidably carried by said operating member and movable with said operating member into and out of alignment with said opening.

11. In combination, a casing-member having a lateral opening, a support in said casing equippedvwith a jack and with contacts above and below said support electricallyr connected with the members of said jack, a

carriermonnted-on said support and adapted to oscillate in a plane transverse with remember,

' equipped opening; a switch-unit comprising an spect to with terminal contacts electricallyy connected with said 'switch-contacts, a carrier pivotl ally mounted on said support andA having a thumb-piece presented at said slot, and a spring-retracted circuit-closer mounted on said carrier.-

13. In combination', a casing-member having a lateral opening, anda switch-unit insertable through` the end of. said casingmember, said unit comprising a support minal contacts electrically connected with the switch-contacts, a carrier pivotally mounted on' said Isupport and having a thumb-piece protruding at said opening, and

a spring-retracted push-button-mounted on said carrier and adapted to be carried into alignment with the space between' said switch-contacts by swinging. said, carrier.

14. In combination, a casing-member having a lateral opening and a switch-unit insertable through the end of `said casingmember, said unit comprising'an insulationblock equipped with a `switch-jack and equipped at op osite sides 'with .terminal contacts electrica lp; connected with the members of said switc -jack, "a carrier mounte on said block to oscillate about an axis paralle] with,v the axis of said' casing-member, and a spring-retracted plunger-like circuitcloser mounted onsaid carrier and having a contact-head adapted t9 make flashing contact an also interlocking contact with the members of saidswitch-jack.

' 15. In combination, a casing-member provided with athreaded extremity and back of said 'threaded extremity with a lateral insulation-block equipped with a. switch-jack with switch-contacts and-with ter- `mareas pivot-ally mounted on 'said block and having a 'thumb-piece presented at said opening and a spring-retracted circuit-closer mounted on said carrierand co-acting with-.said switchjack, a housing-member connected with and )rejecting from the outer side of said lock; a cap-piecev having threaded connection with said casing-member and enclosing said housing; Vand a lamp-socket adapted to receive a lamp inserted through said cappiece. Y l

16. In combination, a casing provided near its end with a lateral opening and provided back of said opening with a seat; a switch-unitl comprising an insulation-block supported on said seat and equipped at one side of the axis of the casing with spaced switch-contactaone of said switch-contacts having connected therewith a terminal contact leading to a lainp and the other switchcontact having connected therewith a terminal adapted to engage'the central terminal of a 'dry-cell, a.l carrier pivotally mounted Ion said block opposite the switch-contacts and having aV thumb-pieceprotruding at said opening, a spring-retracted push-button mounted on said carrier and provided with a head adapted to interlock, with said switch-contacts, a sprinr connect-ingV said carrier and block and adapted to hold the carrier yieldingly in the operative and inoperative positions, a housing-member mounted on said block, and housing the spring, the switch-contacts, and the carrier; and means for securing said switch-unit in position in said casing.

17. A switch-unit for the purpose set forth, comprising an insulation-block equipped near one peripheral portion with a` pair of switch-contacts and equipped at opposite ysides with terminal contacts connected with d said switch-contacts, a carrier-disk pivot-ally mounted on said block opposite said switchcontacts a spring-retracted circuitclosing plunger mounted -in said carrierdisk transversely with respect to the axis of said carrier-disk, a spring adapted to yieldingly hold said carrier-disk in a given position, and a housing-member carried by said block and equipped with a lampsocket. c

In testimon whereof, I have aixed my signature to -t is specification.

'EDMUND R. BARANY. 

